Como has made history by securing a Champions League spot following Milan’s unexpected loss, and in doing so, have sent Cremonese down to Serie B.
The final round of the season saw the crucial battles for Champions League qualification and Serie A survival converge. Both teams understood that victory alone might not be enough. Adding to the difficulty, Cremonese was hampered by a stomach bug that sidelined Warren Bondo, Martin Payero, Faris Moumbagna, and Mikayil Faye, with further injuries affecting Antonio Sanabria, Federico Baschirotto, and Federico Ceccherini. Como, meanwhile, had their star player Nico Paz only fit for the bench due to a muscular issue, and Alex Valle and Jayden Addai were also unavailable.
The situation worsened for Cremonese’s coach Marco Giampaolo as Youssouf Maleh sustained a muscular injury in the opening minutes, forcing an early substitution.
Assane Diao’s header went off target at the far post, but his earlier run down the left flank resulted in a cross for Tasos Douvikas. Emil Audero managed to parry the shot, but a poor clearance from Giuseppe Pezzella fell directly to Jesus Rodriguez, who opened the scoring for Como.
Como extended their lead shortly after the break. This time, Jesus Rodriguez provided the assist for Tasos Douvikas to tap in at the far post.
However, Cremonese were awarded a penalty when Jacobo Ramon fouled Jamie Vardy. Federico Bonazzoli successfully converted the spot-kick to halve the deficit.
The match took a contentious turn when VAR prompted the referee to review a high boot from Matteo Bianchetti on Douvikas’s half-volley inside the penalty area. A controversial penalty was awarded. The decision infuriated Cremonese, leading to Milan Djuric and David Okereke being sent off while warming up, followed by Alberto Grassi for dissent. Lucas Da Cunha ultimately converted the penalty.
Da Cunha sealed the victory with Como’s fourth goal, surprising the goalkeeper with a powerful low shot at the near post.
A potential fifth goal was disallowed as Alvaro Morata was judged to be offside from Sergi Roberto’s assist.
News confirmed after the final whistle that Milan had lost their match, meaning Como had secured their place in the Champions League due to their superior head-to-head record against Juventus, making the latter’s result irrelevant.
Cremonese 1-4 Como
Goals: Jesus Rodriguez 36′ (Co), Douvikas 51′ (Co), Bonazzoli pen 55′ (Cr), Da Cunha pen 74′, 81′ (Co)
Red Cards: Grassi 72′ (Cr), Okereke 71′ (Cr bench), Djuric 71′ (Cr bench)
Match Statistics
Possession:
Cremonese: 30% | Como: 70%
Shots:
Cremonese: 6 | Como: 15
Shots on Target:
Cremonese: 1 | Como: 6
Fouls:
Cremonese: 14 | Como: 12
Corners:
Cremonese: 2 | Como: 4
Starting Lineups
Cremonese:
Audero; Pezzella, Bianchetti, Luperto, Grassi (Terracciano 83′); Thorsby (Maleh 16′, Vandeputte 16′), Zerbin (Collocolo 46′); Bonazzoli (Lottici Tessadri 85′), Vardy
Como:
Butez; Smolcic, Ramón, Kempf, Moreno (Vigorito 76′); Perrone, Caqueret (Baturina 83′); Douvikas (Diao 83′), Rodriguez (Da Cunha 64′); Paz, Kühn